For dogs, their primary form of communication is in their body language. They show if they are fearful, angry, aggressive, submissive or playful through their body posture. A puppy learns this communication from growing up around other dogs & they will be able to communicate effectively. A puppy raised in isolation may misinterpret cues from other dogs or inadvertently send signals that may confuse other dogs.
It is so important for puppies to learn appropriate social behavior at an early age. When they play with an enthusiastic nip sometimes it will result in a yelp from their playmate. If they persist with jumping on their mom, it may result in a snap or growl of correction. This is how puppies learn to limit their play behavior.
Socialization during puppy hood should include free playtime. They should be supervised to make sure that the play does not include overly aggressive behavior, which is more common if there is a significant size difference.
The beginning of puppy socialization is with their litter mates. It should continue through the puppy & juvenile growth stages.
A well-socialized puppy will grow into a trustworthy dog who can be trusted to meet and play with other dogs. An early exposure to Puppy Kindergarten and/or puppy playgroups are good options for helping your puppy build strong social skills.
